Archive for the ‘Surgery’ Category
Always Wear Clean Underwear
Monday, May 7th, 2012I remember growing up and hearing my mother say “Always wear clean underwear.” It was meant so that if you should have an accident, and have to go to a hospital, you wouldn’t embarrass your family by having holey or dirty underwear. Be prepared, so to speak.
Thinking about this brought up a new concept-maybe it means to always be prepared to make a good impression. You never know when you might meet that special someone or impress that new business opportunity. Make sure you look your best and behave professionally at all times.
At Yager Esthetics, that is basically our philosophy. Our office is always spotless and ready for a television interview, as we are often called upon to do when a plastic surgery story breaks in the Hispanic community. My staff is always professional and well prepared to handle any phone call or person who may stop in to inquire. My AAAASF certified outpatient Surgery Center is always fully stocked and inspected to insure safety.
I always keep an extra suit, shirt and tie in the office as a backup, and have second and third machines to replace my surgical equipment in case of malfunction, and even have a generator in case electricity fails and I need to complete my surgery.
These are all good reasons to feel safe with Yager Esthetics, but it is also a good philosophy for any successful business or approach to life. Clean underwear. Mom was right.
The Cost of “Free” Consults in Plastic Surgery
Wednesday, April 18th, 2012When I opened Yager Plastic Surgery in 1997, I did not charge a consult fee. I wanted to grow my practice, and was sure that when a patient consulted with me, they would see the difference and value of proceeding with surgery. As a community plastic surgeon in New York City serving the Hispanic community, I also wanted to make access to care affordable.
This strategy has worked well for me, as I have established Yager Esthetics as the premier location for Hispanic plastic surgery serving the northeast. The only thing I do not like is the “no-show” patient. This is the patient who makes an appointment, confirms, and does not show up or call to cancel. It is incredibly rude and unfair to my practice.
Some of these patients feel that since it is a free consult, there is no loss if they fail to show up. What they do not understand is that my rent, employee salaries, insurance, office expenses, and my time are all lost and cannot be replaced. It is impossible for me to fill that time slot after the time has passed. Furthermore, I have a waiting list for appointments, and those patients will miss the opportunity to be seen.
I urge you to take advantage of a free consult to see our center and meet me. It is an incredible free gift that gives you the benefit of my 15 years of private practice plastic surgery experience at no cost. All I ask is that you respect my time and show up. If you cannot come, just call 24 hours in advance and we will be happy to reschedule.
Birthdays and Plastic Surgery
Tuesday, April 10th, 2012
As I write this, it is a few days before my birthday. I got to thinking about how my patients are often motivated by age to do something to fight the aging process. Each milestone birthday seems to bring in a characteristic patient type that reflects the aging process.
When girls turn 18, they no longer need parental consent, and often are looking to improve body image. At Yager Esthetics, I see consults for the nose, breasts (both implants and reductions), and liposuction most frequently. It is my challenge to make sure that they understand the risk and process, and that they are mature and secure enough to handle it.
At age 30, the first fears of aging set in. Many women have had children, and it is time to get the body back. Mommy Makeovers, breast lifts and implants, tummy tucks and lipo are all very popular in this age group, as is the Brazilian Buttlift. They are still young, and want to enjoy physical beauty for a little longer.
At age 40, facial changes start. There are still the body after baby procedures, but we start to talk about the eyelids, the neck, and occasionally the face. Fillers and Botox are very often demanded as well. Skin care starts.
At the dreaded 50, full on facelifts, brow lifts and eyelid procedures dominate the conversation. Fillers and wrinkle remedies are a maintenance must. Body procedures are still in demand, especially with the now single ladies.
After 60, it is essentially all facial aging changes that we deal with both surgically and nonsurgically, depending on the health and desires of the patient.
My advice is to fix what bothers you when it bothers you, not just because it is a certain birthday. Take control of your life and seek out honest, professional advice, and make the decision that works for you, when it works for you.
Plastic Surgery and Weddings
Monday, April 2nd, 2012When a woman is getting married, she wants to look her best. It is a magical day filled with fairytale dresses and many, many photographs. Diets almost always are begun, and the bride begins to obsess over how she will look. Sometimes, a plastic surgeon is consulted.
When someone is getting married, it is important to consider how much time we have before the big day to plan for recovery to the point of being photo ready. Things like liposuction require little time off from work, but take a while for swelling to disappear. If it is arms or a back or neck, you want to make sure you can have massage after, and 3 months ahead is a good time frame.
For breast surgery, you will look fine for photos in a month, but if the honeymoon requires lifting or force with the upper body, 3 months is safer. For a tummy tuck, at least 2 months is a good guideline. Face or eyelid or nasal surgeries are trickier. This is a very photoed site. I recommend 3 months at least.
Things like Botox or fillers or peels are usually good to do about 6 weeks prior in case of any bruising or if touchups are needed. You do not want to have any additional stress on your wedding day.
So if plastic surgery needs to come before your wedding, or someone close to you is getting married and you want to look your best, plan early to see your plastic surgeon as scheduling often takes a while as well. Good luck!
Bullying and Plastic Surgery
Wednesday, March 28th, 2012We hear a lot these days about bullying and the pain and even life ending consequences that can occur when a child can not deal with the emotional burden. We teach our children to speak up against it, schools are more aware, and it is not tolerated like it used to be. So what does this have to do with plastic surgery?
If your child has ears that stick out from the sides of his/her head, they may be teased or bullied at school. Otoplasty, or ear surgery, is a simple one hour procedure that can reshape the ear and make your child less self conscious. More severe defects, such as cleft lip and palate, are routinely corrected before school begins to avoid these situations.
Likewise, as teenagers, kids can be bullied about their noses, and in some cases a rhinoplasty is indicated to reshape the nose even in teenagers. They must be mature, physically developed, and the procedure should be their idea.
No patient, especially a child, should have plastic surgery unless they are self motivated, understand the risks and benefits, and have the full support and consent of their parents. Bullying is a terrible and serious problem, but plastic surgery is surgery. All surgeries carry risks, and your child needs to be aware of all of them to make an informed decision.
We all want the best for our children, including myself. If my child were being teased for a physical trait that could be corrected and I felt they were realistic and understood the risks, I would support their decision